Place of treatment of a child with a solid malignant tumor in Croatia

Malignant diseases in the paediatric population are rare and account for only 0.5% of all newly diagnosed malignant diseases. In Croatia, 105 to 125 children are diagnosed with malignant diseases every year. As in most countries of the European Union, they are the second most common cause of death in this age group, after accidents. Treatment outcomes for children with malignant diseases in Croatia are comparable to those in other countries of the European Union. Due to the small number of patients, only slightly more than one hundred new patients per year, it would be necessary to centralize the treatment of all high-risk patients. Such children should be treated in two centers, one of which would be a center for solid tumors and the other a center for haematological neoplasms. Such an approach would probably allow an additional improvement in treatment outcomes with practically same resources. Key words: NEOPLASM; CHILD; INCIDENCE; CENTRALIZED HOSPITAL SERVICES; REGIONAL HEALTH PLANNING

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